Lorain County Emergency Management (EMA) in Ohio has issued a warning to eclipse watchers and locals to the path of totality to stock up on food, water, and fuel ahead of the
The last total solar eclipse over the US was pretty spectacular, as anyone who saw it will attest. Looking at
But if we are lucky and the weather is fine, we could be in for something special, as the eclipse coincides with the
“In 2017, the Sun was nearing solar minimum. Viewers of the total eclipse could see the breathtaking corona – but since the Sun was quiet, streamers flowing into the solar atmosphere were restricted to just the equatorial regions of the star. The Sun is more magnetically symmetrical during solar minimum, causing this simpler appearance,”
“During the 2024 eclipse, the Sun will be in or near solar maximum, when the magnetic field is more like a tangled hairball. Streamers will likely be visible throughout the corona. In addition to that, viewers will have a better chance to see prominences – which appear as bright, pink curls or loops coming off the Sun.”
The eclipse should be visible from
“With lucky timing, there could even be a chance to see a coronal mass ejection – a large eruption of solar material – during the eclipse,” NASA added.
As always with eclipses though, there are safety concerns. Last time, there was a
There are logistical problems too in the form of a huge influx of tourists hoping to see the celestial event, which areas along the path of totality are currently getting ready for. Lorain County officials, for example, have put out a
“What we could have is crowds here that we’re not used to,” said Dave Freeman, Lorain County EMA director, in a statement seen by
“A lot of the roads here are two lanes,” Freeman added, per
The EMA is also warning that cell phone signals could be lost due to the increase in cell phone activity in the area overloading the system. The team is warning residents that in the weekend ahead of the eclipse, they should fill their vehicles with gas, stock up on food, and avoid other travel where possible.
More importantly, you should look up and enjoy the eclipse, of course minimizing the risk of damage to your eyes by checking out our handy guide to
An earlier version of this article was published in